Septal Defects

Definition

Septal defects are problems with the structure of the heart. They are present at birth. Septal defects are located on the inside of the heart. They are on a wall that separates the chambers of the heart. There are two upper chambers of the heart called atrium. Two lower chambers of the heart are called ventricles.In a healthy heart, the blood flows from the body to the right atrium. The blood then goes into the right ventricle. The ventricle pumps this blood to the lungs to pick up fresh oxygen. The blood then returns to the left side of the heart. It enters the left atrium first, then down to the left ventricle. The ventricle pushes the blood out to the rest of the body.Septal defects allow the blood to move between the left and right chambers. The blood most often moves from the left side of the heart into the right side. This means that blood that has just returned from the lungs may end up being sent right back to the lungs. As a result, both the heart and lungs have to work harder than they need to work.There are three main types of septal defects:

Atrial septal defect (ASD)—a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers (atrium) of the heart

Ventricular septal defect (VSD)—a hole in the wall between the two lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart

Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD)—a combination of ASD, VSD, and problems with opening between chambers called valves

The stress of pushing extra blood to the lungs may lead to heart failure. The following information applies to all three of these defects except where noted.

A randomized trial found that fecal microbiota transplantation had a higher rate of remission in patients with active ulcerative colitis than those who recieved placebo. Fecal transplantation is believed to help the intestine develop a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut which can help the intestine recover and function more effectively.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available.
This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at
our contact us page.